Alright, so everyone is hailing HOTD from on high and spouting praises..ok, I do too. I'll start with how it's amazing such an idea hasn't come up before. I count myself in the masses who have been patiently waiting for an apocalyptic zombie-induced anime. I wonder if this anime would be even bigger if it would have had the teasers out way in advance like those for Black Rock Shooter...Next is the animation. It's just really good. I've noticed that no matter the time of day (although only one day has passed through the first 3 eps) that everything looks bathed in an orange, almost sunset-like light. This imaging adds detail if you ask me and it gives the feeling of a dark anime without actually being dark. The blood splattering is pretty good, too. It's not over-the-top like Tarantino (I do like his work) but it's also not a splatter here and a splatter there.

Third, are the characters. HOTD tries to add depth to them right off the start (well, some of them). It's also easy to see who likes who. For the guys you have a geek and a stud (sorry don't have names). These two wield a modified staple gun and a baseball bat. Not the preferred weapons for fighting the living dead but high school students don't exactly have access to weapons (and civilians can't own firearms in Japan, right?). I'm sure they'll upgrade soon. As for the women you have 4 well-endowed beauties: three students and a nurse (no names either). The nurse is helpless so I'll stick to the students. You have the brain, the emotionally fragile, and the level-headed kendo club member. And of the women only the fragile one and the kendo girl sport weapons. Those are a staff and a kendo stick (she needs to upgrade to a real sword). With this combination you have pretty much a typical anime bunch. I can't leave this section without talking about the zombies. There is an odd twist with how they only react to sound and so far can only be taken down by bashing their heads in or lighting them on fire. Otherwise, they are normal, everyday zombies (if that notion can even be applied).

I want to touch quickly now how HOTD is supposed be part ecchi. I'm seeing it right now as there have only been jiggling boobs. Or did I forget some panty shots? But in any case, there needs to be more fanservice if this anime is to keep its ecchi theme. I'm not saying it has to but I don't mind it as then it becomes like the anime version of Resident Evil. For what it's worth I still want more from HOTD. There hasn't been much language and the violence isn't too graphic. I'd say right now it could be rated for 14+. But when I see something like this I want plenty of swearing and at least a couple gratuitous zombie killings per episode. HOTD has all the makings to be an adult anime (17+ or TV-MA) but it seems it's trying to keep away from that. It could be to keep a wider audience but I could be thinking too much and the material is right for teens. I cannot forget, now, how HOTD also tries to make itself memorable by having the show then credits then another minute of the show followed by a preview. I find it an interesting strategy.

Now the story. Modern day setting (as if any other time period would work to have zombies attack) and a world-wide zombie epidemic. I'm being mean but why focus on high school kids from Japan? The first thing I want explained is how people started turning into zombies and how it hit the entire world at once. If the reason is not explained then I'm going with a botched biotechnology or biowarfare experiment that was released into the atmosphere and spread. Other options are mutation or evolution or the work of a higher power. I don't feel the characters are entirely worried about stopping the zombies but more just wanting to survive. I wonder, too, then if the story will go past a single season to show the characters hunting down zombies across the globe to bring an end to the chaos. I hope the story doesn't take a sappy turn toward tragic romance between the childhood friends but I can certainly see one of them dying sometime. On which point I'm curious as to whether HOTD will run 12/13 or 24-26 eps. I haven't looked but is there a manga? I wonder which US company will pick this up, too. I feel it won't be FUNimation as they have already picked up 3 or so titles from the spring and summer seasons. In which case I'd say Viz Media should because I don't think Section23 can pull it off, Sony primarily takes on films, and Bandai limits its works.

That's what I got so far and it's only from 3 eps! I'll probably write something when the series is done. HOTD is a visually stimulating anime and absolutely the only one of its kind so show it some love. I hope this opens up the doors to more new and exciting anime.

So I just finished a couple anime and two of them really hit me. They are Gurren Lagann and Angel Beats!. I'm not sure how to break down Angel Beats! as I literally just finished it but I'll do my best. As for Gurren Lagann, I've been struggling what to think as it's so epic.

WARNING: THERE ARE SPOILERS. THIS IS A BLOG AND I WANT TO FULLY EXPLAIN WHAT I THINK AND FEEL. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN EITHER OF THESE ANIME AND DO NOT WANT TO SUBJECT YOURSELF TO SPOILER INFORMATION IT WOULD BE WISE TO NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT. OTHER THAN THAT, ENJOY!

Gurren Lagann: I don't know how far in the future the story takes place but it seems that humanity had regressed. To start, I found the characters very likeable as they gave ridiculous

You can't get any more badass.

speeches full of half-assed reasons to fight. But as Kamina says, "That's how Team Gurren rolls!". It was so cool watching Team Dai-Gurren get stronger and give people hope as they took on the oppressing Beastmen. But the time always comes where one must fall so the others go on. Kamina's death was another in a growing list of ones that sadden me. I mean, he really was the man. He was macho and wild and crazy and determined. He will always be remembered as Bro.It was great, too, that his cape and sword were still in place after the moon came crashing down.

What I find interesting as well are the two fast-forward points to move the story along and how the series is 27 eps long. But for the eps the series is actually 25 as one is a recap and the other is an uncut version of another ep. I'm not bothered by the time leaps, I'll say that. The first one is important as to heed Lord Genome's warning and show how the world has progressed. Many of the characters underwent transformations not only in looks but in attitudes as well. Another thing I noticed was how the people who used to live underground and are now in the city are overcome with material possessions and blaming others (basically being selfish and not taking circumstances into question). Since I'm on the subject of time leaps I should talk about the final leap. Things moved along a lot in the 20 years after the final battle against the Anti-Spirals. What gets me the most is how Simon just exiled himself and didn't even stay to even try and have another life that included a family or traveling the universe. In addition, Simon and Rossiu seemed to have aged pretty badly compared to everyone else (they looked older than Yoko).

The ultimate in Spiral Energy: Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann!

Now for the main point of Gurren Lagann: Spiral (slight pun). I cheated a little when I was reading about the series to see if I would like it and found out about the spiral motif. Not to mention the names of some of the characters has to do with DNA. But seeing that information beforehand I think helped me understand the series much better as a whole. People are always wanting to aim for something better or higher. The spiral shape (ex. drill) is a perfect symbol for aiming up and forward. Human evolution really is amazing. I could do nothing but agree as situations would become ever more dire and Simon and the others would have an influx of Spiral Energy from their beliefs and resolve (much like has been seen before in human history).

Now, who the hell do you think I am?!

Angel Beats!:

Ah an all chick band..that rocks!

What I first liked about Angel Beats! was the music and animation. The animation was great but I've seen the style before so the anime's score is what really stuck to me. The episode that stands out the most for music is of course ep 3. I had so much fun watching the band, Girls Dead Monster, play and "My Song" was so touching. I had tears in my eyes when the girl disappeared. That episode was so gripping; I hadn't felt quite that way before while watching an anime. Thanks to Angel Beats! I pay more attention to an anime's soundtrack.

Don't worry, I found the story interesting, too. At first it didn't quite make sense but then it seemed like their world was a kind of purgatory for souls who were not yet ready to move on. The SSS's fights with Angel pretty much got them nowhere most of the time (and it's funny how they can "die" then come back and they feel all the pain). In fact, I'm actually still a bit confused about how that world actually works as you never got to see its creator or the creator of the programs. I wonder what will happen to that world now..

The SSS is all here!

Lastly, I want to cover some of the characters and their backgrounds. Otonashi lost his memory so that made him interesting from the start. When he finally regained them it was incredible what he had been through with his sister and how he lived his life. What he did to save those people before he died is above praise. Him being in love with Kanade threw me for a bit of a loop as well. Yuri's gruesome past left me speechless. I cannot imagine the feelings of living through such an ordeal. She also seemed tempted to take over the world they were in and turn it into a paradise. Angel only meant to do right but her methods got lost in translation with the SSS. How Kanade died is beyond me and since Otonashi was her donor it seemed odd that she died. In connection with Otonashi I don't quite get why Kanade loves him either. However, I find it amazing that they come across each other in another life (and she's humming "My Song"!). That was a heart-pounding and -breaking ending. Iwasawa, the lead singer of Girls Dead Monster, did what she could during her life and just wanted to be understood and accepted. Her family problems were very saddening and her accident just topped it off. But her acceptance of everything that allowed her to fully pass on was magnificent. Yui's life was regrettable in how she was paralyzed. She simply wanted to have fun with everyone and find someone who truly cared about her. Hinata was very manly when he said he'd marry Yui no matter what. That, is really caring about someone.

All I can really say is to live life without regrets and be happy. Do what you can. Find someone to care about. Find something to protect. Be passionate. But if I find myself in purgatory I hope it's like that of Angel Beats!.

I just finished my Asu no Yoichi (Samurai Harem) boxset and it got me thinking: what kind of harem would I want to be part of? I also wanted to ask a different yet similar question than my last blog Which Anime Girl Do You Want?. What would be the ideal harem I'd like to find myself in? Do I want one like Love Hina? How about that of Tenchi Muyo? Or maybe even that of Shuffle!?

I've pondered the idea but haven't given it much thought so those of you who read this will get my thoughts of little preparation. My real, and primary, problem with harems is that only one girl "wins". That idea makes me sad for all the other girls who have feelings for the lead male. Although; it's them who tried the least to fully grasp his attention and form a formidable relationship compared to the lead girl. I'm one to share the love. Yes, like a Mormon (I'm not a Mormon, by the way).

While the circumstances vary from harem to harem I would like a typical school-based harem that takes place in college. Being in college the characters are freer to be themselves and make their own decisions. Other aspects of college are the variety of people you can get to know and meet and the activities that are available to partake in. This is very general still so I'll make it a bit more interesting by having the school be for magic! For the sake of the harem I'll be a Junior. Now the girls...

The first is an athletic and sporty Freshman. She's determined and confident and has a bit of a sempai complex. She isn't on any of the school's teams but trains with various members she is friends with. She is very cute and has short hair with a tall figure and toned build. She likes taking naps moonlit walks. She has good grades, too.

I think they're wet.

Number two is a homely Sophomore. She loves cooking and is very modest when complimented. This girl is very down to earth and values family and friends the most. She is normal in height and has long flowing hair, is very pretty, and looks very much the motherly type. This girl's interests are finding 'the one' and photography. She, too, has good grades.

The third gal is a geeky Junior. I actually have her in a few classes. She is very smart but zones out a lot. Not to mention she is untidy and kind of lazy. Sarcasm is her second language and she loves to tease. Her appearance is unkempt with baggy clothes, glasses, and messy medium length hair kept in place with a pencil. Boy she looks good in a dress though for a short girl. This diamond in the rough likes reading and tinkering. Needless to say her grades are great (she just skips class half the time).

Fourth is the progressive and haughty Senior. She a slight narcissist but really just wants someone to relate to her. She is also very fashionable and an heiress to a major corporation. She loves to travel and go out with her friends. She's hot (and she takes advantage of it) with medium-long hair and above average height. She has very good grades.

Last and certainly not least is the wild and crazy dropout. She would have just graduated if she stayed in school. She's mysterious and finds herself curious as to why people do certain things. She's got wild short-medium hair, tattoos, and usually wears a tattered hooded cloak. Other features are average height and slender physique. Her hobbies are pestering people and riding her motorcycle but she is the heart of much mischief. Not sure how smart she is as she's a little odd.

Ah! *stretches* There you go people! I'm pretty happy with this; I may just have to keep this in mind for another anime idea. These are just my thoughts but the question

Ok guys, or girls. I have a question for you. Which anime girl do you want? It could be for any reason. Maybe you like her personality. Maybe you like what she does (be it good or bad). Hell, maybe you think she's hot and just want a good ol' one night stand. My choice is going to be a woman that I'm into because of my current lifestyle and way of thinking. I'm sure my taste in anime women will change as I discover more characters and get older. But enought of my blabbering; let's get to the good stuff!

My choice is Revy of Black Lagoon. One could say she is damaged goods as she had a tough life growing up on the streets fending for herself and having to either kill or be killed just to eat. I learned more from The Second Barrage that she does have a soft side and can just chill but she is as woman of action down to the bone (and I like that). Despite not having a whole lot in common with Revy I like her because she doesn't take any shit, is decisive, is good with her hands (come on guys, she's Two Hands, duh!), and she is just straight up hot with her body and tat and hair. Not to mention that devilish smile. Her smoking and drinking doesn't bother me but I'd be sure not to cheat on her since she sometimes gets into a trance and causes mass mayhem. She lives a simple life just trying to make a living; she just happens to like guns. And her friends are pretty good people and seem like fun company. I'm sure she likes to get down and dirty as she is quite the bitch but I've grown to appreciate her other qualities.

Despite the title this has nothing to do with the content or quality of anime. Actually I'll say one thing that pisses me off about some anime: some, mostly harems, have the most general ending in the world where everyone is happy but no individual relationship advances or nothing is really explained as to why one thing is this way and why one is another. Now, on to my main point..

What pisses me off is the anime business (industry). I'll use Code Geass as my example as it pisses me off most of all. Code Geass ran on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim from April 2008 to June 2009. It's been a year since then and there are still only volume sets and Special Editions available to buy. There has yet to still be a boxset of even the first season! How damn long do we have to wait for something as simple as that? We should not have to wait over a year after all the volumes are out to be able to buy our favorite anime in a boxset.

The second thing that pisses me off is the price of anime. Now, I did just buy the Viridian Collection of Speed Grapher brand new on eBay for $17.99 but I'm pointing to the retail prices set by the distributors and retailers. Anime boxsets are just as expensive (or more) as regular tv show boxsets. Blu-Rays are pretty high priced as well but since FUNimation is the only company producing them it's to be expected. Let alone some anime have become almost impossible to come across (Girls Bravo, Tenchi Muyo, FLCL, and many others). I did find the Girls Bravo boxset on eBay for way under retail and was elated. FLCL is priced very high as well if you can find it. Some of this makes me think there would be money to be made if companies remastered old titles and re-released them.

Something that used to piss me off but now just annoys me is the time it takes to dub an anime. Ever since I visited FUNimation's headquarters in Flower Mound, TX I have a new understanding for all that needs to be done (and yes, there is a lot). But nevertheless I would like for the dubbing process to be cut down to one year (that being from acquiring the license to releasing on DVD/Blu-Ray). This may very well be impossible with how many titles companies pick up today but it would be very pleasing for fans to know that waiting is no longer a grueling must.